Gerbera plant named `Termarieke`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera plant named `Termarieke`, as illustrated and described, characterized by its single type, a distinct red/orange brown ray floret which is red at the base and becoming more orange to the top of the floret, a very distinctive black disc before flowering of the disc florets, red male and female mature disc florets, the outer-most florets which display light yellow stigmas and the middle florets showing light yellow anthers, red perianth lobe color and 110 mm overall flower diameter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera jamesonii, referred to by the cultivar name `Termarieke`.

`Termarieke` was originated from a hybridization program in De Kwakel, The Netherlands in 1989. The female parent was unnamed seedling 85.133 and the male parent was unnamed seedling 84.548. The female parent 85.133 was yellow, single and had a green center. The productivity compared to `Termarieke` was better. The male parent 84.548 was also yellow and single and had a black center. Both have not been available outside Terra Nigra and are not patented in the United States. The new cultivar was selected by me from the progeny of the stated parentage on or about February 1990. The first asexual reproduction of `Termarieke` was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken on November 1990 in De Kwakel. The new cultivar is presently being propagated by cuttings and tissue culture. Horticultural examination of the selected units initiated May 1994 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for `Termarieke` are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

`Termarieke` has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in De Kwakel, The Netherlands, under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of `Termarieke`, which in combination distinguish this Gerbera from its parents and all other varieties of which I am aware:

1. Type: Single.

2. Color of ray floret: Red/orange brown.

3. Color of disc before flowering disc florets: Black.

4. Color of perianth lobe: Red.

5. Diameter of flower head: 100-110 mm.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to me, there is no cultivar similar in comparison to `Termarieke`.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical inflorescence characteristics with the colors being as nearly true as possible in illustrations of this type. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S). The color values were determined at 15:00 p.m. on 22 Sep. 1992 under natural light at De Kwakel.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

Botanical: Gerbera jamesonii cv. Termarieke.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Single.

Diameter across face.--100-110 mm.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of 3 meters).--Red/orange brown.

Color (topside).--R.H.S. 45B ending in 32B.

Color (bottom side).--R.H.S. 39B.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Red.

Color (immature).--Red, Black.

D. Reproductive organs:

Stigma.--Light yellow R.H.S. 10B.

Anthers.--Light yellow R.H.S. 6A.

Pappus.--Purple R.H.S. 59A.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--40 cm excluding any flowers.

B. Foliage:

Color (abaxial).--R.H.S. 137C.

Color (adaxial).--R.H.S. 139A.

Shape.--The angle of apex: acute. The shape of apex: pointed. The margin of lobes: serrate.

C. Disease resistance: No special disease resistance.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of `Termarieke`, which in combination distinguish this Gerbera as a new and distinct cultivar.

Leaf blade:

Length.--Medium (approx. 40 cm).

Width.--Medium (approx. 16 cm).

Thickness.--Medium.

Blistering.--Medium.

Pubescence.--On upper side (midrib excluded): sparse.

Depth of cuts or incisions in leaf.--Basal part: deep. Central part: deep. Distal part: shallow.

Color.--Upper side of the leaf blade: dark green (R.H.S. 139A). Bottom side of the leaf blade: R.H.S. 137C.

Glossiness on upper side.--Medium.

Angle of apex.--Acute.

Shape of apex.--Pointed.

Margin of lobes.--Serrate.

Extensions of margin.--Medium.

Petiole length.--Medium (approx. 12 cm).

Petiole coloration.--Greenish R.H.S. 183B.

Petiole anthocyanin coloration.--Very strong.

Peduncle:

Length.--Medium (60 cm).

Cross section.--Round.

Tendency to fasciation.--Absent.

Thickness.--Medium.

Strength.--Medium.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Color.--Medium green R.H.S. 145A, at base a lighter R.H.S. 183C.

Anthocyanin coloration.--At base: very strong. At top: absent.

Involucral bracts.--Present.

Flower head:

Type.--Single.

Diameter.--Medium (approx. 100-110 mm).

Shape.--Flat.

Involucre.--Height from point of attachment of involucre to top of flower head: medium (approx. 37 mm). Height: medium (approx. 18 mm). Diameter: medium (approx. 36 mm). Number of bracts: medium (approx. 47). Longitudinal axis of inner rows: straight. Anthocyanin : absent. Pubescence: medium.

Ray florets.--Number: medium (54). Shape: elliptic. Longitudinal axis outer row: incurving. Longitudinal axis inner row: incurving

Outer ray floret.--Cross section: convex. Length: medium (approx. 47 mm). Width: medium (approx. 9 mm). Longitudinal folding: strong. Angle of apex: acute. Shape of apex: pointed. Incisions of apex: one. Depth of incision: very shallow. Length of free petals: short. Color distribution on inner side: lighter to top. Edge of different color: absent. Striation: absent. Claw spot: absent.

Disc florets:

Diameter.--Medium (approx. 30 mm).

Main color perianth lobes.--Female flowers: red/orange. Male flowers: red.

Reproductive parts:

Style.--Main color distal part: red R.H.S. 47C.

Stigma.--Main color: light yellow R.H.S. 10B.

Anthers.--Main color: light yellow R.H.S. 6A. Color of top relative to other parts is identical. Longitudinal stripes are absent. Intensity of anthocyanin coloration is absent.

Pappus.--Main color: purple R.H.S. 59A. Color of top relative to other parts is identical. Level of top relative to closed disc florets: same level.

Fertility.--Fertility as well as the seed setting is medium. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera plant named `Termarieke`, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by its characteristics enumerated above. 